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April 2, 2026|C&S/IT

Hitachi Rail Agrees to Acquire Clever Devices

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor

Hitachi Rail on April 2 reported entering into a definitive agreement to acquire Woodbury, N.Y.-based Clever Devices, whose products are said to improve fleet management, the passenger experience, and operational efficiency for public transportation, including passenger rail, fixed-route, bus rapid transit, and paratransit. It has 12 locations in the United States, Canada, Brazil and Italy.

“The proposed acquisition of a company with deep digital expertise and expected 2026 revenues of over $220 million, marks a significant step in Hitachi Rail’s strategy to operate as a leading global digital mobility player,” Hitachi Rail said. “Upon completion, the business will extend its footprint from rail to multimodal mobility and strengthen its presence in North America.”

With more than 600 employees and a customer base that includes eight of the ten largest North American transit agencies, Clever Devices “brings a robust portfolio and a proven track record of innovation and delivery,” Hitachi Rail reported. “Its Intelligent Transport System (ITS) solutions are a critical enabler to growing public transport, making it more attractive and efficient by improving accuracy of information and boosting service punctuality. Clever Devices’ solutions are deployed across public mobility, including buses as well as railway systems. Alongside its strength in North America, Clever Devices has achieved substantial growth in countries such as Brazil and Chile, as well as in Europe in markets including Italy.”

(Courtesy of Hitachi Rail)

Clever Devices’ offerings include:

  • Fleet monitoring products, such as Automatic Vehicle Monitoring, which is said to provide a “single source” of diagnostic information; Clever CAD, which is said to enable dispatchers to “communicate directly with vehicles and manage routes more effectively”; Clever Works for “maximizing integrity and efficiency” of data; and the Electric Vehicle Management Solution.
  • Passenger-facing products, including live bus time updates; Automated Voice Announcement; and Clever Vision, which provides real time information to passengers on board.
  • Safety and security; business intelligence; and communications products.
(Courtesy of Hitachi Rail)

According to Hitachi Rail, Clever Devices’ portfolio of onboard and centralized data solutions will complement its HMAX Mobility suite. HMAX Mobility is described as a digital asset management platform that “connects data from fleets of trains, wayside signaling assets, and track infrastructure to create an operational twin of railways.” It is said to bring together “advanced sensor technology, deep rail expertise, and the latest in AI and edge computing to maximize rail performance, extend asset life, and optimize costs.”

Hitachi Rail pointed out that combining Clever Devices’ fleet management technology with its Operation Control Centers “will enable real time multimodal solutions for urban public transport systems,” and “this technology will enable connected and sustainable intermodal transport and support the transition to more sustainable and efficient transit systems.”

The transaction, “subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions” and “the receipt of regulatory approvals,” is expected to close later this year, according to Hitachi Rail, which is being advised by J.P. Morgan and Ropes & Gray LLP.

“This investment is an important milestone in our strategy to accelerate the digital transformation of public mobility,” Hitachi Rail Group CEO Giuseppe Marino said. “Clever Devices’ proven expertise in intelligent transportation systems, combined with our global scale and our HMAX Mobility platform, will allow us to offer our customers a suite of data‑driven mobility solutions that optimize transport infrastructure and services. Together, we will expand our capabilities beyond rail and deepen our presence in North America, supporting cities as they transition to more innovative and efficient transport networks.”

Separately, Hitachi Rail last fall opened its $110 million “digital” Hagerstown, Md., plant, and in February announced a C$30 million investment in a new Canadian headquarters. Clever Devices in late 2025 was awarded contract from Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the Advanced Transportation Management System II (ATMS II) dispatching and vehicle location program. The technology will be implemented on more than 500 railcars among six rail yards and 2,400 buses across 12 depots.

Further Reading:

Join Railway Age on Oct. 21-22, 2026, for the Next-Gen Rail Systems Conference (formerly Next-Gen Train Control), whose program will encompass the entire system, examining how signaling and train control technologies are modified and improved by telematics, artificial intelligence, deep data analysis, cybersecurity measures and more. Presented by leading experts, Next-Gen Rail Systems will feature in-depth technical sessions and comprehensive project updates on evolutionary and revolutionary developments in advanced and emerging technologies.